# NTSB ANC87LA081: Cessna 182, N71724, Theodore River, AK, June 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1987, 20:30 local (Jun 18, 1987, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Theodore River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA081

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - stall/mush
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - tree(s)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE ACFT'S LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUCK A CULVERT IN THE ROAD. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE PRIOR TO REACHING ROTATION SPEED. THE PLT REDUCED POWER TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE NOSE WHEEL STRUCK A STUMP ON THE ROAD AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71724](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71724-2016-05-18), registration cancelled 2016-05-18, S/N 18259729 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182m) (registry code 2072728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18259729
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John M. Edwards
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1987, 30 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,081 total, 1,020 in this make and model, 1,020 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 28.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870617020699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870617020699A), Jun 17, 1987: Cessna 182M, Theodore River, AK, Substantial damage. During takeoff from a gravel road, the aircraft struck a culvert, became airborne and struck a stump on touchdown.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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